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Ruth Frampton (577 KP) rated Caught in a Cycle in Books
Apr 10, 2018
This children's book has its issues deciding what message it is really trying to give. The main theme is bullying is wrong, but it also gets mixed up with telling lies just makes things worse and while set in a zoo doing less that likely jobs make the whole thing difficult for it to give its message clearly and uncluttered by the extras.
A shame really, my daughter enjoyed it but didn't pick up the full message without some reinforcements.
Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher. and the author for allowing me to read and review a digital copy of this book.
A shame really, my daughter enjoyed it but didn't pick up the full message without some reinforcements.
Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher. and the author for allowing me to read and review a digital copy of this book.
J Elizabeth Klug (21 KP) rated Animal Circus in Books
Dec 14, 2019
I received a free copy of the book through the Goodreads Giveaways program and voluntarily chose to review.
For the animals of Doe's Circus, life is hard. At the mercy of the ringmaster and his tyrannical gang of showmen, the petting zoo animals long to escape.
Written from the perspective of the animals, the story takes you through how they react to the abuse they suffer, their determination to survive, and their plan to escape.
With superb characterization, the story is well written. It's dark and suspenseful with a surprise ending that left somewhat disappointed and slightly traumatized.
For the animals of Doe's Circus, life is hard. At the mercy of the ringmaster and his tyrannical gang of showmen, the petting zoo animals long to escape.
Written from the perspective of the animals, the story takes you through how they react to the abuse they suffer, their determination to survive, and their plan to escape.
With superb characterization, the story is well written. It's dark and suspenseful with a surprise ending that left somewhat disappointed and slightly traumatized.
Tim McGuire (301 KP) rated Little Monsters (2019) in Movies
Mar 3, 2020
Shes so cute tho...
387. Little Monsters. Nope it's not a remake of the Fred Savage 80s flick. Instead this is the 'Life Is Beautiful' for the zombie genre. And it was pretty sweet! We meet Dave, a down on his luck musician, broke up with the girl, band broke up, has to live with his sister and her young son. (Dave reminded me of a Andy Dwyer type, Park n Rec fans? Anyone, anyone?) To pull his weight around his sisters house, he takes his nephew, Felix, to school, and there he meets and is instantly infatuated with Felix's teacher Miss Caroline, with reason, she's played by Lupita Nyong'o!! One thing leads to another and Dave finds himself as a chaperone for the next field trip to the local zoo, which just happens to be next to a military research facility, which so happens to be suffering from a zombie outbreak at the time. As you may have guessed these zombies find their way to the zoo, and yep hell breaks loose. However, the kiddos are completely oblivious to this thanks to Miss Caroline convincing them its all just a game! It was a very well done comedy zombie flick. Rounding out the cast is Josh Gad playing a kids tv show host, he is great! Worth the watch!! Filmbufftim on FB
Ross (3282 KP) rated Amazon Kindle in Apps
Nov 7, 2017
The kindle app turns your high-tech smart phone into a (relatively) low-tech ebook reader. While this seems like a backward step, the added portability and the ability to sync your latest reading position on your kindle to your phone to seamlessly carry on is a massive advantage. This generally works but has on occasion been a bit of a letdown.
I have also used the app to store PDF files for things like zoo tickets or maps when travelling in case of poor internet signal meaning you couldn't download them later which worked well.
I have also used the app to store PDF files for things like zoo tickets or maps when travelling in case of poor internet signal meaning you couldn't download them later which worked well.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2103 KP) rated The FunJungle Collection: Belly Up; Poached; Big Game in Books
Mar 9, 2018
A hardcover slipcase set of the first three books in the FunJungle series (Belly Up, Poached, and Big Game). Join Teddy Fitzroy as has finds danger and mystery involving the animals at FunJungle, a giant zoo/amusement park in Texas. Each book features a different animal as well, from hippos to koalas and rhinos.
These books are wonderful! They are filled with great mysteries, twists, danger, comedy, and characters you'd want to have as friends. Teddy's parents are just as great as the kid characters are. Anyone looking for a great mystery will be glad they read these books.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/12/book-review-funjungle-collection-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
These books are wonderful! They are filled with great mysteries, twists, danger, comedy, and characters you'd want to have as friends. Teddy's parents are just as great as the kid characters are. Anyone looking for a great mystery will be glad they read these books.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/12/book-review-funjungle-collection-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Ruth Frampton (577 KP) rated Caught in a Cycle in Books
Mar 11, 2018
What do I want to be?
This children's book has its issues deciding what message it is really trying to give. The main theme is bullying is wrong, but it also gets mixed up with telling lies just makes things worse and while set in a zoo doing less that likely jobs make the whole thing difficult for it to give its message clearly and uncluttered by the extras.
A shame really, my daughter enjoyed it but didn't pick up the full message without some reinforcements.
Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher. and the author for allowing me to read and review a digital copy of this book.
A shame really, my daughter enjoyed it but didn't pick up the full message without some reinforcements.
Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher. and the author for allowing me to read and review a digital copy of this book.
The Land of Reverse by David Manousos has a gentle tone with a soothing cadence to the words that suit perfectly for bedtime readings. The illustrations are a great accompaniment.
The story is about Sam who could not sleep one night. He let his mind wander to the Land of reverse. Everything Sam thought of in reality was backwards. Your hands are your feet, cars drive on the sidewalk, the animals in the zoo have the humans caged and feed them. Sam returns back to his bed happy and cannot wait to return to the Land of Reverse.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Dog Ear Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
The story is about Sam who could not sleep one night. He let his mind wander to the Land of reverse. Everything Sam thought of in reality was backwards. Your hands are your feet, cars drive on the sidewalk, the animals in the zoo have the humans caged and feed them. Sam returns back to his bed happy and cannot wait to return to the Land of Reverse.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Dog Ear Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
Caitlin Moran recommended Collins English Dictionary in Books (curated)
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2103 KP) rated Big Game in Books
Mar 9, 2018
When someone takes a shot at Rhonda Rhino, security goes on high alert to try to capture the poacher. Teddy once again finds himself caught up in the mystery, but can he find the shooter with Large Marge once again on this tail for something he didn’t do?
It’s always wonderful to be back at this zoo, and the characters are as wonderful as always. The plot is perfectly constructed with everything set up well for a great climax. The issue of rhino poaching is giving a much needed spotlight without slowing things down at all. Middle grade audiences will love it, as will anyone who wants a wonderful mystery.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/10/book-review-big-game-by-stuart-gibbs.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
It’s always wonderful to be back at this zoo, and the characters are as wonderful as always. The plot is perfectly constructed with everything set up well for a great climax. The issue of rhino poaching is giving a much needed spotlight without slowing things down at all. Middle grade audiences will love it, as will anyone who wants a wonderful mystery.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/10/book-review-big-game-by-stuart-gibbs.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
David McK (3251 KP) rated Jim Butcher's Dresden Files Welcome to the Jungle in Books
Jan 28, 2019
The problem with graphic novels based on characters previously only written about, I think, is that most of the time how they are portrayed in the visual medium is different than how they appear in your minds eye - a problem that both graphic novels and movies share.
This graphic novel, however, manages to avoid that particular problem, with Dresden drawn pretty-much as I imagined him to be (OK, maybe a bit less battered and bruised and dishevelled, but close enough).
Written by [a:Jim Butcher|10746|Jim Butcher|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1400640324p2/10746.jpg] himself, this entry actually takes place before the 'meat' of the main series (that began with [b:Storm Front|47212|Storm Front (The Dresden Files, #1)|Jim Butcher|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1419456275s/47212.jpg|1137060]), with Harry called in by (still) Lt Karin Murphy of the Chicago PD to investigate a killing in the zoo - a killing that is currently being pinned on a gorilla in said zoo, but that could not have realistically been carried out by him.
With Harry as his usual sarcastic wise-cracking self, and with Bob the skull putting in an appearance, the only thing that was missing was some of Harrys wider supporting cast and Mouse the dog, although all that makes sense in the context of the setting (book 0.5, remember?).
While I was a bit hesistant at first about how well the character and his world would transfer to this medium, based on this I may well pick up more of the 'graphical exclusive' (to coin a phrase) stories, such as [b:Jim Butcher's Dresden Files: Ghoul Goblin|18430203|Jim Butcher's Dresden Files Ghoul Goblin|Jim Butcher|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1388266297s/18430203.jpg|26071782] - that is, entries where I haven't already read the prose!
This graphic novel, however, manages to avoid that particular problem, with Dresden drawn pretty-much as I imagined him to be (OK, maybe a bit less battered and bruised and dishevelled, but close enough).
Written by [a:Jim Butcher|10746|Jim Butcher|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1400640324p2/10746.jpg] himself, this entry actually takes place before the 'meat' of the main series (that began with [b:Storm Front|47212|Storm Front (The Dresden Files, #1)|Jim Butcher|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1419456275s/47212.jpg|1137060]), with Harry called in by (still) Lt Karin Murphy of the Chicago PD to investigate a killing in the zoo - a killing that is currently being pinned on a gorilla in said zoo, but that could not have realistically been carried out by him.
With Harry as his usual sarcastic wise-cracking self, and with Bob the skull putting in an appearance, the only thing that was missing was some of Harrys wider supporting cast and Mouse the dog, although all that makes sense in the context of the setting (book 0.5, remember?).
While I was a bit hesistant at first about how well the character and his world would transfer to this medium, based on this I may well pick up more of the 'graphical exclusive' (to coin a phrase) stories, such as [b:Jim Butcher's Dresden Files: Ghoul Goblin|18430203|Jim Butcher's Dresden Files Ghoul Goblin|Jim Butcher|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1388266297s/18430203.jpg|26071782] - that is, entries where I haven't already read the prose!